A FATHER-of-two was killed when his motorbike crashed head on into a Jaguar saloon.

Wrexham taxi driver Craig Bagnall died on the A483 at Sweeney, just outside Oswestry, on Saturday afternoon.

The 34-year-old, of Parkwall, Gwersyllt, leaves wife Claire and a son and a daughter aged eight and 11.

"Motorbikes were his passion, his life," said close friend Dave Taylor, of Wrexham, last night.

"It was my old bike he was riding, I sold it to him about two months ago.

"He was one of the most competent riders I know, biking was his life.

"The details of what happened are vague, we are still trying to piece things together. It seems Craig was overtaking and the Jag pulled out to over-take and they hit head on," Mr Taylor added.

West Mercia Police have not officially released the name of the victim.

They said the blue and white 1000cc Suzuki collided with a grey Jaguar on the A483 near the junction with the B5069 at 3.48pm on Saturday afternoon. Mr Bagnall's brother Chris and cousin Jamie both work with Mr Taylor as taxi drivers in Wrexham.

Mr Taylor said Craig's widowed mother had only just gone on holiday to Alcudia, in Spain, but was flying back straight away after hearing of the tragedy.

He said Claire was devastated but bearing up.

"Craig was her life," he said. "He was a very popular lad."

Mr Bagnall worked for both Apollo taxis and Cresta Taxis in Wrexham.

A spokesman at Apollo said: "He was a very sound and very nice lad, easy to work with."

At Cresta spokesman said: "Craig was a good family man, he adored his kids."